Nice builds-I especially  like the Panther

There are some beautiful pieces of quality modeling there!

I have to say that I have no desire to get that "Landkruzer Ratte" thing. I think it's a ridiculous model, but I understand that your collection wouldn't be complete without it. " :)

Really love the bulldozer. Something unusual in our forum. Nice subtle weathering. That Panther D isn't too shabby either.

AI did some really nice work here- I really like the dozer too as well as the Terminator and the other Russian/Soviet AFVs.

Bob - thanks for your kind comments on the build.

Karl - thanks for your kind words about AI's work. I bought the Landcreuzer Ratte because it's weird and it costed just $28.00 + $ 9.70 shipping  - cheaper than most new armors. Your comments that my collection wouldn't be complete without it made me think of something else more monstrous and that's the Dora 1:35. Seeing one listing on ebay for its last hour, I asked the seller in Germany how much will be the shipping cost to Thailand, now waiting for his reply.

tigerman - thanks for your kind comments on the bulldozer and the Panther. Nearly two years ago I posted the Israeli version of D9R. You were probably not around at that time:

falconbbs.com/m71-431.jpg

Gamera - thanks for your kind compliments on AI's work. I really appreciate them.

Phaisal, now the Dora would be AWESOME to see built, but you might need a new warehouse to display it, lol. That's one monstrous sucker! :)

Karl - I plan to display it on top of the largest display case (200 x 50 cm) in my showroom and move  the  display case of 1:72 ancient figure sets now on top of it to somewhere else. The deal was made, I paid EUR499.99 + EUR 39.99 DHL shipping, totaling EUR539.98 or about US$599 - very good price at the last minute of the listing. There's still another seller in UK but it costs 50% higher!

Good for you, Phaisal! I will look forward to seeing it built!

Which of your fine builders will have the honor of bringing it to us? Surely, Art Instructor has seniority? :)

Karl, it was by chance and constraint that I got the Dora. I saw the listing (now gone) many times for months but never thought of buying it. Your comments made me think about it, so I looked at the listing again and saw that it will end in 43 minutes. I sent a message to the seller asking about shipping charge, half an hour passed with no reply. Fearing that the listing will end and I'll not be able to contact the seller again, three minutes before the listing ended I hit the "Buy It Now" button, followed by "Commit to buy". Not long after that the seller sent me an invoice. Today it was a pleasant surprise that he made a refund to me for the amount of EUR83.83 (about US$93) saying it was "VAT Rückerstattung" (probably means "VAT refund") and that's 16.67% of kit's price, making the kit even cheaper, now just over $500. I'll have to pay about $150 import tax though.

As for builder, only Art Instructor can do this complex task. This is a 3,000+ parts kit! I don't know how long it will take him. ;-)

I really like the D9R - I think MengModels produce great kits and that is on my wish list.

Also, the Panther looks awesome - I've become a massive fan of the Panther over the past year or so, easily my favourite WWII german tank.

Thanks for sharing and my compliments to AI for his builds.

Model Maniac

 Today it was a pleasant surprise that he made a refund to me for the amount of EUR83.83 (about US$93) saying it was "VAT Rückerstattung" (probably means "VAT refund") and that's 16.67% of kit's price, making the kit even cheaper, now just over $500. I'll have to pay about $150 import tax though.

Wow. I Haven't spent more then $50 including shipping on any kit. I guess I'm frugal. LOL

Chris - thanks for your kind words and your appreciation of AI's works.

Tigerman - It was like "Act now or never" for me, and I'm glad that I chose to act. It was such a bargain, you won't find it at these price anywhere in the world. It is so far the biggest plastic model kit ever produced and sold. You save up just a dozen of your regular $50 kits and you could have had one too.

Love the D9R ! Is it a military model or for civilian us as well? Could it have a machinegun or two? Looks like a mean SOB

Well, I know that Art Instructor wil do this kit justice, Phaisal! I should be an epic build!

Tell him to make sure that he reinforces the barrel so that it doesn't droop (bend). I seem to remember that there was a danger of this because it was so big?

Never get tired of seeing build ups of a D9, nice Panther too.

Terry 

castelnuovo - thanks for your kind comments. I think there are cilivian versions too. I've seen them on TV working in a mine.

Karl - I just can't wait to see his face once he comes around and see it waiting for him! Thanks for your kind suggestion on strengthening the barrel. You probably have seen one drooping.

Terry - thanks for your kind words.  

AI does some awesome work MM great looking equipment you brought to us. purley as an American joke will you adopt me and will me your stash of unbuilts when you transfer to the great display case in the sky? LOL. if my D9R turns out half as good I'll be proud. again very nice work.

Thanks for your kind compliments on AI's work, armornut. I really appreciate them. My stash has been shrinking fast lately and may not last another year, and I already have 3 nephews living in the same house with me who will inherit all my belongings - but probably in the very far future. I've spent 40-50 years to make my dream come true and real, so I gotta live 40-50 years more to enjoy life and appreciate the reality. ;-)

no worries kind sir, like you my stash has grown over several years but when i start agian with active building it won't take long for me to deplete it. I have a nephew who in a few years might inherit SOME of my kits for his enjoyment and pursuit of knowledge, unless i get to them first LOL. Have a GREAT day and we'll see ya here on forums later.